Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Palau

Direct flight routes to Palau

Currently there are no non-stop flights between North America and Palau.

Layover/stopover options

Tokyo (NRT/HND): Main connection through United Airlines and JAL. Average connection time 2-4 hours. Modern facilities and excellent transit services. Convenient airport hotels for longer layovers.

Manila (MNL): United Airlines and Philippine Airlines hub. Transit times typically 3-5 hours. More affordable connecting flights but less predictable transit experience.

Guam (GUM): United Airlines primary hub for Micronesia connections. Short 1-2 hour layovers available. Simplest immigration process for US citizens and compact airport layout.

Seoul (ICN): Korean Air connections. Average layover 3-4 hours. Excellent duty-free shopping and free transit tours for longer layovers.

Time vs money

Routes with multiple stops generally offer lower fares but significantly increase total journey time. Single-layover options through Guam or Tokyo typically command premium prices but provide more reliable connections.

Tips and recommendations

• Book layover flights through Guam for most reliable connections and shortest overall journey time from North America.


• Consider overnight layovers in Tokyo or Seoul to break up long journey and explore these cities.


• United Airlines’ Island Hopper service through Guam offers unique Pacific Island views and most frequent connection options.


• Book separate tickets for Manila connections only if significant savings justify potential rebooking risks.


• Mid-week departures typically offer better availability and lower fares than weekend flights.

• United Airlines operates the only viable route from North America to Palau via Guam, departing from Honolulu three times weekly. The 777-200 service features updated Economy seats with 32″ pitch and personal entertainment systems. Booking at least 6 months ahead typically yields fares around $1,200-1,400 round-trip, which is about 20% lower than last-minute prices.
• Consider splitting the journey with a stopover in Tokyo using Japan Airlines or ANA to connect with United’s Tokyo-Guam-Palau service. This routing often costs just $200-300 more than the direct United option but allows for a break in the journey and typically offers superior comfort with newer aircraft.
• Flying through Manila with Philippine Airlines can save up to 30% compared to United’s rates, with fares frequently available around $900-1,100 round-trip from West Coast cities. The trade-off is longer total journey time and potentially overnight layovers in Manila.
• Korean Air offers connections to Palau via Seoul from 13 North American gateways, with particularly competitive rates from Chicago and Atlanta. Their A330 service to Palau features recently refurbished cabins and typically allows generous baggage allowance for diving equipment.
• For travelers from Eastern Canada, combining China Airlines’ service via Taipei with transpacific flights on their partner Delta can yield fares around $1,300 round-trip. The airline’s A321neo on the Taipei-Palau route offers modern comfort with above-average 33″ seat pitch in economy.

1. Booking single-ticket itineraries Instead of breaking up the journey into separate tickets through major Asian hubs like Manila, Tokyo, or Seoul, travelers often overpay by booking single-ticket itineraries to Palau’s Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR).
2. Ignoring United Island Hopper option Many travelers overlook the unique United Airlines’ Island Hopper route from Honolulu to Guam, which can be combined with connecting flights to Palau while offering an interesting journey through Pacific islands.
3. Flying during peak season without advance booking Travelers often fail to book at least 6 months ahead for high season (December to March), when limited flights to Palau become extremely expensive and frequently sell out.
4. Missing the transit visa requirements When routing through Asian hubs like Manila or Taiwan, travelers sometimes forget to check if they need transit visas for their layover countries, potentially leading to denied boarding.
5. Cutting layover times too short Due to limited flight frequencies to Palau, travelers who book tight connections in Asian hub airports risk missing their once-daily or twice-weekly flights to ROR if their incoming flight is delayed.

United Airlines

Best for: Most extensive network of departure cities from North America to Palau.

Operating from 14 North American cities to Palau (mainly through Guam), with largest volumes from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Houston. United’s service features reliable connections with typically one stop in Tokyo or Guam. Economy class offers standard 31-inch pitch seats with personal entertainment screens and complimentary meals on transpacific segments. Passenger ratings average 3.8/5 for transpacific routes, with positive feedback for schedule reliability and connection efficiency.

Korean Air

Best for: Superior onboard comfort and service quality in Economy Class.

Connects 8 North American cities to Palau via Seoul, with main hubs in Los Angeles, New York JFK, and Vancouver. Their Economy class stands out with 33-inch seat pitch, high-quality Korean and Western meals, and attentive service. Consistently receives passenger ratings of 4.2/5, though layovers in Seoul typically range from 5-8 hours. Their modern fleet of A330s and B777s on these routes ensures a comfortable journey.

Japan Airlines

Best for: Most efficient layover times and connection experience.

Services 6 North American cities to Palau through Tokyo Narita, primarily from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle. Features well-timed connections with average layovers of 2-4 hours. Economy class provides 32-inch seat pitch and highly rated Japanese cuisine. Passengers give 4.0/5 ratings, particularly praising the smooth transfer experience at Narita and punctuality.

Asiana Airlines

Best for: Most competitive fares while maintaining quality service.

Operates from 5 North American cities to Palau via Seoul, mainly from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York JFK. Economy class offers comfortable 32-inch pitch seats and good quality Korean meals. Receives 3.9/5 passenger ratings, with travelers particularly appreciating the value for money. Connection times in Seoul are reasonable, typically 4-6 hours.

Using regional carriers to reach Palau for less

Savvy travelers can significantly reduce costs to Palau by splitting their journey and leveraging Asian regional carriers. Instead of booking a single expensive ticket to Koror, consider breaking your trip into two segments.

1. Book a main route first: Secure a flight to a major Asian hub like Manila, Tokyo, or Taipei – these routes are frequently serviced by major carriers with competitive prices
2. Add regional connection: From these hubs, utilize carriers like United Island Hopper, Asian Airlines, or China Airlines for the final leg to Palau
3. Time your bookings: Book your main route 4-6 months ahead, but wait to book the regional segment until 2-3 months before travel when regional carriers often release better rates

The most cost-effective route typically involves Manila as your connection point, using Philippine Airlines or United for the final segment. This strategy can save $400-800 compared to booking a single through-ticket, though it requires more flexible scheduling and possibly an overnight layover.

Pro tip: Consider using frequent flier miles for the long-haul segment while paying cash for the shorter regional flight, maximizing value per mile spent.